In a recent interview, President Donald Trump revealed that a group of prominent billionaires may be involved in a potential deal that could see the U.S. government take control of TikTok, the social video platform currently owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. Among those mentioned were media mogul Rupert Murdoch, his son Lachlan Murdoch, and tech entrepreneur Michael Dell.
During the interview, which aired Sunday on Fox News, Trump remarked on the qualifications of the individuals he was considering as potential participants in this deal. “I think they’re going to be in the group. A couple of others. Really great people, very prominent people,” he stated, emphasizing their patriotism and commitment to the country. In addition to the Murdochs and Dell, Trump confirmed that Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison was also part of the group, a fact that had already been disclosed.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt further clarified that Oracle would handle the app’s data and security, with Americans expected to control six of the seven board seats for the operations in the United States.
The move comes as U.S. officials express concern over TikTok’s algorithm, which they warn could be manipulated by the Chinese government to influence what users see on the platform. Congressional legislation recently passed calls for a TikTok ban to take effect in January, yet Trump has issued orders allowing the app to continue operating while negotiations for a potential acquisition are underway.
During the interview, Trump also mentioned a conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding the TikTok deal, indicating ongoing discussions between U.S. and Chinese officials. They are under pressure to finalize details by December 16, following an extension provided by the Trump administration.
Despite the looming potential ban, Trump expressed a personal fondness for TikTok, noting that it has helped him connect with younger voters. He credited conservative activist Charlie Kirk for encouraging him to utilize the platform.
As the discourse around TikTok evolves, representatives for Ellison, Dell, and the Murdochs were unable to provide immediate comments on their potential involvement or any subsequent developments regarding the social media platform. Additionally, it is worth noting that Trump had previously filed a lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal after the publication reported on his connections to financier Jeffrey Epstein.
